2025 Attendances

[The_Wookie]

11.12.2024

Gather Round tickets snapped up in record time


The AFL is pleased to announce that more than 195,000 Gather Round…Festival of Footy tickets have sold… with five of the nine games sold out, 20,000 more than this time last year.

Member on sale on Tuesday saw a significant uplift in demand for tickets this year, selling more than 100,000 tickets in the first four hours, in comparison to the same amount in 24 hours last year.

This year there are an extra 47,000 tickets on offer for fans with the two Saturday matches being ticketed separately.

Tickets still remain for Collingwood vs Sydney Swans on Friday night, Carlton vs West Coast on Saturday afternoon, Melbourne vs Essendon on Saturday night and a very limited number of restricted view tickets and tickets for the Pepsi Collective for Port Adelaide vs Hawthorn on Sunday evening.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said it was clear Gather Round momentum was not slowly down.

“The demand for tickets this year was significantly higher than the first two Gather Rounds, with more than 195,000 tickets being purchased in the first two days,” said Mr Dillon.

“A ticket to the matches at the Barossa Park was always going to be one of the hottest tickets in town and the fans have certainly illustrated that by selling out both matches so quickly.”

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said: “Gather Round continues to exceed all expectations.

“We are honoured that so many footy fans from around the country are making the commitment to travel to our beautiful state to experience this event like no other.

“They’ll be truly welcome.

“If you haven’t got a ticket already – get in quick!”

Tickets for the remaining matches can be found here.

 

[dave10]

It's not a criticism of Richmond it's just a fact - Adelaide is not a high-drawing club in Victoria. Those were the top crowds for each MCG co-tenant in Melbourne.

Grand Final replays don’t always draw great crowds either.

The Swans drew 5,000 less for the GF replay than they did their round 1 game (34,940 v 40,130). Hawthorn drew far less for their GF replays against the Swans (54,725 in 2013 and 63,319 in 2015) than in 2014 (72,768), and in 2016 (61,888 v 2013) whilst the Eagles (42,977 in 2016) was much lower than 2012 (50,023). Melbourne is probably the best example of this, they drew 58,002 to the opening game of the 2022 season against the Dogs after the drought-breaking flag - a crowd dwarfed by ANZAC Day Eve and Queens Birthday which was 70,000 and 76,000.

My point is that the Eagles and Crows have roughly like-for-like crowd drawing capacity in Melbourne…which is why Collingwood's (60,878), Richmond's (57,415), Hawthorn's (50,023) and Melbourne’s (35,653) maximum numbers against the Eagles and Crows is the same.

Do I think Essendon could draw 60,000 against West Coast and Adelaide at the MCG? Absolutely!

I think with the way crowds are now growing, all members of the Big 4 can 60,000 against these clubs with Hawthorn a step back at 55,000 plus.

I'm convinced the AFL is locking out thousands of supporters by playing 7 Essendon home games at Marvel.

In an ideal world, Melbourne would play all at the MCG (MCC plus their Marvel crowds are dreadful), Collingwood and Richmond would split games 9/2 (low drawing games at Marvel to help with stadium finances) and Essendon, Carlton and Hawthorn should be 6/5 MCG-Marvel hybrid tenants.

That leaves Geelong full-time at Kardina Park with St Kilda, the Dogs and North as the full-time Marvel tenants with at least 3 home games against the Big 4 and Hawthorn to help with crowds. It is cleaner for everyone and gives the AFL a ton of high-drawing 40,000 Marvel fixtures to make money off their stadium.

Everyone wins - and it means more MCG fixtures for the non

This is true.

To get 60,000+ against the Eagles or Crows they need all stars aligning. A top 4-6 team, opposition in finals hunt or better, excellent slot and weather. Then you get the neutrals too which elevates those 50-55k type crowds into the 60k+ bracket.

In 1999, Essendon drew 55,000 against the Eagles on a Friday night. This was before 4 Game memberships, GA memberships basically given away, MCC provisionals getting access rights etc. it’s entirely achievable if stars align for these big clubs.

 

[CarnTheScray]

Melbourne vs Footscray grand final replay was ****ed by the AFL by putting it on Wednesday Night. It would have at reached 70,000 at least otherwise. Thursday is a pain as it is, mid week is just ridiculous. They just didn’t want to upset Richmond and Carlton, or Collingwood who wanted the Friday.

100% was their way of getting their GF replay as the opener while not upsetting the Richmond Carlton Thursday “tradition”.

 

[Hawkk]

No idea why one of the Dogs Dons games this year wasn’t at the MCG. Both clubs want more MCG games.

If you renegotiate the Essendon agreement, that gives the MCC more games at the MCG (80% of MCC members support Melb, Ess, Coll, Carl, Haw and Rich) and means the AFL can renegotiate the finals agreement.

That means no more ‘home’ finals for Marvel tenants against MCG co-tenants and they could rejig the ticketing go give Marvel tenants first crack at tickets. That way you reverse last years Elimination Final and give the Dogs a proper home ground advantage.

Just a thought. It would solve the MCG issue for non Vic clubs, give Marvel far more high drawing fixtures and give Marvel tenants a proper home ground advantage for all week 1, 2 and 3 finals

 

[Hawkk]

Melbourne vs Footscray grand final replay was ****ed by the AFL by putting it on Wednesday Night. It would have at reached 70,000 at least otherwise. Thursday is a pain as it is, mid week is just ridiculous. They just didn’t want to upset Richmond and Carlton, or Collingwood who wanted the Friday.

My point is - Grand Final replays do not drive a bump in crowds. Look no further than the Dogs v Swans in 2017 - that was no larger than what a premiership contenting Bulldogs should expect to draw against the Swans.

 

[Hawkk]

Melbourne vs Footscray grand final replay was ****ed by the AFL by putting it on Wednesday Night. It would have at reached 70,000 at least otherwise. Thursday is a pain as it is, mid week is just ridiculous. They just didn’t want to upset Richmond and Carlton, or Collingwood who wanted the Friday.

There is no way Melbourne and the Bulldogs would have reached 70,000. For starters there simply is not enough AFL members that support both clubs (the smallest for AFL members) to fill that reserve.

There is a reason why the Dogs picked Collingwood for their 100 year game, they are the only club that could guarantee a 70,000 plus crowd to an early season game (the first time the Bulldogs have ever drawn 70,000 to a home and away game).

Melbourne would be way off that - even with the premiership. For what it's worth, their next home game after that round 1 game drew 44,500 against Essendon on a Friday Night, followed by 20,500 against the Giants and 39,500 against Hawthorn (with 70,500 against the Tigers on ANZAC Day Eve wedging the Giants and Hawks games)

In the games since, the Dees and Dogs drew 26,501 and 33,000 (70 year anniversary of 1954) to Marvel and 48,501 and 44,100 to round 1 at the MCG. So that Grand Final replay was significantly larger than all other Melbourne v Bulldogs games.

 

[What else we can do]

100% was their way of getting their GF replay as the opener while not upsetting the Richmond Carlton Thursday “tradition”.

Get rid of Maquee games like pre 1995 or rotate I don't have problem with that

 

[Bjo187]

I worked at the club, it’s actually a fact. Essendon have more members in the east / south east than west / north west. Total numbers, not concentration or % of supporters to total supporters in the area.

I find it very hard to believe, what's this off membership numbers? Up until the 90s teams played at their own suburban stadium and people on the other side of town got minimal exposure to them. It was only with ground rationalisation and pay tv in the late 90s and early 2000s that supporters began to come from all areas across a city, due to accessibility of product. Now if you look at Essendon, we have been terrible for over 20 years, so wouldn't have banked many eastern suburbs supporters in that time, a time when this accessibility became better.

 

[Hawkk]

I find it very hard to believe, what's this off membership numbers? Up until the 90s teams played at their own suburban stadium and people on the other side of town got minimal exposure to them. It was only with ground rationalisation and pay tv in the late 90s and early 2000s that supporters began to come from all areas across a city, due to accessibility of product. Now if you look at Essendon, we have been terrible for over 20 years, so wouldn't have banked many eastern suburbs supporters in that time, a time when this accessibility became better.

Didn’t Essendon did play at the East Melbourne Cricket Ground for decades before Windy Hill. Its a long time ago but there is also a strong connection (apparently) between Freemasons, War Bonds and Essendon too

 

[ep12]

There is no way Melbourne and the Bulldogs would have reached 70,000. For starters there simply is not enough AFL members that support both clubs (the smallest for AFL members) to fill that reserve.

There is a reason why the Dogs picked Collingwood for their 100 year game, they are the only club that could guarantee a 70,000 plus crowd to an early season game (the first time the Bulldogs have ever drawn 70,000 to a home and away game).

Melbourne would be way off that - even with the premiership. For what it's worth, their next home game after that round 1 game drew 44,500 against Essendon on a Friday Night, followed by 20,500 against the Giants and 39,500 against Hawthorn (with 70,500 against the Tigers on ANZAC Day Eve wedging the Giants and Hawks games)

In the games since, the Dees and Dogs drew 26,501 and 33,000 (70 year anniversary of 1954) to Marvel and 48,501 and 44,100 to round 1 at the MCG. So that Grand Final replay was significantly larger than all other Melbourne v Bulldogs games.

Please stop using 2022 figures as any basis for crowds. The first half of that season was still affected by covid and all crowds were down. The 44.5 against Essendon was 10% under where it should have been and the 20k against the giants was a Saturday night mid Easter weekend where half of our fan base goes away for the Long weekend (this is just truth).

It would have reached 70k if it was a non Wednesday game. Made it impossible for dogs fans to cross the city on a school night, there were maybe 5-8k of them out of the 58k.
Plus any neutrals are less likely to attend on a Wednesday. The 48-50 of us that showed up was probably our absolute maximum attending a game for a Wednesday.

 

[Underarm]

I find it very hard to believe, what's this off membership numbers? Up until the 90s teams played at their own suburban stadium and people on the other side of town got minimal exposure to them. It was only with ground rationalisation and pay tv in the late 90s and early 2000s that supporters began to come from all areas across a city, due to accessibility of product. Now if you look at Essendon, we have been terrible for over 20 years, so wouldn't have banked many eastern suburbs supporters in that time, a time when this accessibility became bebetter.

Also got to remember the middle of Greater Melbourne is Chadstone, not the CBD. There's more people in the east in general.

 

[Hawkk]

Please stop using 2022 figures as any basis for crowds. The first half of that season was still affected by covid and all crowds were down. The 44.5 against Essendon was 10% under where it should have been and the 20k against the giants was a Saturday night mid Easter weekend where half of our fan base goes away for the Long weekend (this is just truth).

It would have reached 70k if it was a non Wednesday game. Made it impossible for dogs fans to cross the city on a school night, there were maybe 5-8k of them out of the 58k.
Plus any neutrals are less likely to attend on a Wednesday. The 48-50 of us that showed up was probably our absolute maximum attending a game for a Wednesday.

If it would have, then the round 1 games in the seasons since would have drawn substantially more than 48,000 and 44,000 - which is my point, GF replays for decades have under drawn expectation. Covid did not stop the ANZAC Day games drawing 70,000 plus or Queens Birthday, 76,000.

Even in 2011, Collingwood v St Kilda only drew 62,997 (despite drawing 81,386 in 2010). In 2010, Geelong and the Saints drew 58,208 to a rare MCG game (they were top 2 at the time) and the Hawks and Cats ‘only’ 69,500 in 2009 (which is pretty low by today's standards). Given the Cats and Saints drew 42,809 to a Friday Night MCG round 1 game in 2011, that 2010 GF replay - like Dees v Dogs - was an exceptional crowd.

This is not a knock on the Dees or Dogs, its just almost impossible to do with those clubs. If it wasn't, there is no reason why the Dogs wouldn't have played the Dees (GF rivals), or Lions (first round 1 opponent in 1925) instead of Collingwood in the 100 gear game. Given this, the 58,000 that did turn up was an exceptional turnout

 

[BallaratBulldog]

My point is - Grand Final replays do not drive a bump in crowds. Look no further than the Dogs v Swans in 2017 - that was no larger than what a premiership contenting Bulldogs should expect to draw against the Swans.

That was our highest home crowd against the Swans by a decent amount.

 

[Hawkk]

That was our highest home crowd against the Swans by a decent amount.

True - but you've only played one game at Marvel (not on a Thursday) since - 32,300 in 2019. Maybe I'm wrong but I think a high 30,000’s crowd would be par for the Dogs and Swans on a Friday Night?

If you can draw mid-30,000’s against North Melbourne on a Saturday Night I can't see why not

 

[What else we can do]

Didn’t Essendon did play at the East Melbourne Cricket Ground for decades before Windy Hill. Its a long time ago but there is also a strong connection (apparently) between Freemasons, War Bonds and Essendon too

These connections (WASPS) along with Melbourne FC established the MCC two most popular clubs. I worked in one of these social clubs many years ago majority were Melbourne and Essendon supporters respectful and great to talk to the few Collingwood and Carlton members use to get pissed and leave the joint legless.

 

[BallaratBulldog]

True - but you've only played one game at Marvel (not on a Thursday) since - 32,300 in 2019. Maybe I'm wrong but I think a high 30,000’s crowd would be par for the Dogs and Swans on a Friday Night?

If you can draw mid-30,000’s against North Melbourne on a Saturday Night I can't see why not

Sure, but that is applying growth past 2017 GF rematch which involves another grand final appearance/consistent finals appearances.

It doesn’t devalue the replay in the context of the year it took place in 2017 which was much larger than normal. If the dogs beat swans in 2025 grand final, it would be a bigger crowd in 2026 than of 2017 unless they dumped a poor time slot, which the Melbourne fans got against us. You would hit that annoying 48,000 mark thats hard to pass these days most likely.

Only if the Dogs had a replay vs Collingwood at Marvel that it wouldn’t stand out as much on crowd numbers, but it would for a different reason. The amount of blue on the TV screen would be different ratio to normal getting access first to their flag unfurling.

 

[What else we can do]

I find it very hard to believe, what's this off membership numbers? Up until the 90s teams played at their own suburban stadium and people on the other side of town got minimal exposure to them. It was only with ground rationalisation and pay tv in the late 90s and early 2000s that supporters began to come from all areas across a city, due to accessibility of product. Now if you look at Essendon, we have been terrible for over 20 years, so wouldn't have banked many eastern suburbs supporters in that time, a time when this accessibility became better.

I think Dave10 has point in the 1980's Essendon's crowds at Waverley overall were marginally behind Collingwood and Carlton and continued till early 90's 55,000 against the Eagles is a game I can remember.

 

[dave10]

Didn’t Essendon did play at the East Melbourne Cricket Ground for decades before Windy Hill. Its a long time ago but there is also a strong connection (apparently) between Freemasons, War Bonds and Essendon too

I’m not making it up. They have more members in the east / south east than the west / north west. Possibly explains their strong MCC ranking and possibly its comparatively weaker AFL reserve ranking.

 

[Hawkk]

Sure, but that is applying growth past 2017 GF rematch which involves another grand final appearance/consistent finals appearances.

It doesn’t devalue the replay in the context of the year it took place in 2017 which was much larger than normal. If the dogs beat swans in 2025 grand final, it would be a bigger crowd in 2026 than of 2017 unless they dumped a poor time slot, which the Melbourne fans got against us. You would hit that annoying 48,000 mark thats hard to pass these days most likely.

Only if the Dogs had a replay vs Collingwood at Marvel that it wouldn’t stand out as much on crowd numbers, but it would for a different reason. The amount of blue on the TV screen would be different ratio to normal getting access first to their flag unfurling.

Like I said, this is why Melb v WB drew 58k and not 44-48k like it did in the other round 1 games. Its similar to Geel v StK.

There really does need to be a lot that works to get 60k at the MCG - although with decent weather I think Carl v WB could get 55,000 to 60,000 this Friday (we overplay how much of an impact early form has on crowds).

Carlton are actually favourites going into the games. There is no doubt that the Dogs crowds have grown substantially, and at the same time, the Saints appear to have really slid over the past 20 years.

 

[What else we can do]

Like I said, this is why Melb v WB drew 58k and not 44-48k like it did in the other round 1 games. Its similar to Geel v StK.

There really does need to be a lot that works to get 60k at the MCG - although with decent weather I think Carl v WB could get 55,000 to 60,000 this Friday (we overplay how much of an impact early form has on crowds).

Carlton are actually favourites going into the games. There is no doubt that the Dogs crowds have grown substantially, and at the same time, the Saints appear to have really slid over the past 20 years.

65,000 if we won one of our first two games but I think around 50k which would of gone close to breaking the record between the two clubs.

 

[ep12]

Not great at Marvel, be lucky to get 25k

 

[dave10]

65,000 if we won one of our first two games but I think around 50k which would of gone close to breaking the record between the two clubs.

Agree. Losing to Tigers was a big loss spiritually for your fans. If they’d won the last two, on a Friday night or Saturday arvo it’d likely draw upwards of 60K next week. Probably needed Bulldogs undefeated to get 65K.

 

[ep12]

Not great at Marvel, be lucky to get 25k

Edit to this, much better now. Maybe 30

 

[magic_johnson!]

I went to both games in Melbourne last night. While the mcg crowd was bigger, marvel at 35,000+ is a great vibe. St kilda’s Dj provided a great atmosphere at half time.

 

[manicmagpie]

Farcical sciences at Docklands as they’ve shut half of level 3 and forced everyone to squash into the camera facing side.

It’s getting crowded so people have started ignoring the tape and are moving into the forbidden bays. Then security turns up to try and tell a couple of hundred people they have to move, which not a single person has.

 

[dave10]

Farcical sciences at Docklands as they’ve shut half of level 3 and forced everyone to squash into the camera facing side.

It’s getting crowded so people have started ignoring the tape and are moving into the forbidden bays. Then security turns up to try and tell a couple of hundred people they have to move, which not a single person has.

Hawthorn copped this a couple of years ago, takes from the spectator experience.